Arsenal 0 Blackburn 1 - The team plumb new depths

It's all very well for Wenger to say "we started with eleven internationals on the pitch" - they were still shit, which means the coaching is at fault or the motivation and desire to play for the manager has gone.

Without wishing to do them a disservice, Blackburn are a team we should beat every week.

I don't know the answer to the problems, but it looks increasingly like Arsene Wenger is the cause. My devotion is seriously on the wane.

Here's the report:

Rovers rock Gunners

Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup as Blackburn pulled off a shock 1-0 fifth-round win at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night and manager Arsene Wenger had made several changes, with Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla all starting on the bench.

Even so there should still have been enough quality to see off the npower Championship side.

But Gervinho missed a great chance at the end of the first half which proved so costly as Colin Kazim-Richards' scrappy effort after 72 minutes proved enough to inflict Arsenal's first home FA Cup defeat since their move to the Emirates Stadium and hand Rovers a memorable win.

Blackburn, who still have not conceded a goal in this season's FA Cup, fashioned an early chance when a free-kick from the left was flashed through the Arsenal six-yard box and Markus Olsson knocked the loose ball wide at the far post.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had been given a chance to impress in midfield for Arsenal and the England international was soon on the ball, releasing Tomas Rosicky down the right only for the Czech winger to clip his attempted cross behind.

Oxlade-Chamberlain then decided to do it himself, charging into the Blackburn penalty area and cutting a pass back across the six-yard box where Bradley Orr hacked clear.

The Rovers full-back was shown a yellow card by referee Mike Dean in the 12th minute after scything down Gervinho as the Ivory Coast forward, back from the African Nations Cup, looked to break down the left.

Arsenal fans behind the goal at the Clock End called for a penalty when Rosicky's cross hit Scott Dann on the arm as he blocked it behind for a corner but the referee was not interested.

The home side continued to press, forcing a succession of corners.

In the 25th minute, Arsenal finally got the delivery right from Rosicky and Abou Diaby rose to power a bullet header goalwards, which Rovers goalkeeper Jake Kean beat away at full stretch with a magnificent reaction save.

Kean was on hand to palm away a looping header from captain Thomas Vermaelen, fit again following an ankle problem, as the Rovers goal was under siege again.

The best opening came just before half-time when Rosicky slipped Gervinho into the penalty area but, despite holding off the defender, the Ivory Coast forward dragged his shot wide of the post - before dropping to his knees and looking to the heavens.

Blackburn started the second half brightly.

Vermaelen had to be alert as he touched a cross behind with Jordan Rhodes waiting to knock the ball in at the far post.

Blackburn made a change after 63 minutes when Markus Olsson was replaced by former Arsenal man David Bentley, who rejoined his old club Rovers on loan from Tottenham - and received a less-than-warm welcome from the home support.

Rosicky crashed a 20-yard effort off the crossbar and Rovers defender Grant Hanley made an important block as Gervinho cut in from the right.

With 20 minutes left, Wenger had seen enough and made a triple substitution as Walcott, Wilshere and Cazorla replaced Gervinho, Rosicky and Oxlade-Chamberlain.

However, out of nothing, Blackburn snatched the lead.

Martin Olsson burst into the left side of the penalty area and drilled the ball goalwards, which Wojciech Szczesny parried.

Unfair challenge on Olivier Giroud by Jason Lowe results in a free kick. Mikel Arteta has an effort direct from the free kick, save made by Jake Kean.

42

Yao Gervinho has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.

40

Yao Gervinho has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.

36

Shot by Nacho Monreal. Blocked by Bradley Orr. Corner taken by Tomas Rosicky from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Lee Williamson.

32

Lee Williamson is penalised for a handball. Mikel Arteta takes the free kick.

28

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Tomas Rosicky, Bradley Orr makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Tomas Rosicky, clearance made by Bradley Orr. Thomas Vermaelen challenges Bradley Orr unfairly and gives away a free kick.

26

Jordan Rhodes fouled by Mikel Arteta, the ref awards a free kick. Morten Gamst Pedersen produces a cross, Headed effort from inside the area by Scott Dann misses to the left of the target.

25

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide left of the target.

23

Corner taken by Tomas Rosicky from the left by-line, Vassiriki Diaby takes a shot. Save made by Jake Kean. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Martin Olsson makes a clearance.

22

Corner taken by Tomas Rosicky from the left by-line, Jake Kean makes a save.

21

Effort from 20 yards by Vassiriki Diaby. Bradley Orr gets a block in.

21

Unfair challenge on Francis Coquelin by Colin Kazim-Richards results in a free kick. Francis Coquelin restarts play with the free kick.